How to Perform Fondu in Ballet

Fondu is a classical ballet movement meaning "melted." Basically its a movement that lowers the body by bending on one leg. It is a fluid and graceful movement that is incorporated throughout a choreographed ballet dance. The steps below will teach you how to fondu in classical ballet while practicing at the bar.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Stand in fifth position. When doing exercises and the bar, start by holding on to the bar with one hand and the other hand at first position.

2. Tendu your outside foot to the front. Tendu is an extension of the foot with your toes pointed on the ground. You can also tendu to the side and back.

3. Bring your pointed foot in to your supporting ankle, with your knee bent and turned out. At the same time you will plie (bend) on the supporting inside leg. This movement is the fondu.

4. Straighten your supporting leg and tendu at the same time. In this exercise you're going from tendu to fondu to tendu. For a full bar exercise, tendu to fondu to the front, side (twice) and back.

5. Hold your arms in second position as your doing the exercise, keeping your arm rounded and elbow up.

6. Turn around on the bar and repeat Steps 1 through 5 with the opposite foot.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to keep your knees turned out to the sides. Pull your bottom down and in and stand up straight.
• Another way to fondu, is to start if fifth position and instead of first a tendu, you will go straight from fifth position to fondu then to tendu and back to fondu.